The Frenchman

Sharp-eyed,
With a slender cigarillo
Balanced effortlessly between his fingers,
Marcell Carreau
Surveyed the room.

Nothing escaped him.
Not an empty teacup.
Nor an unopened bottle.
Nor a guest
Waiting patiently
For quiet assistance.

From the rear of Nocturna,
The dashing Frenchman
Conducted the evening,
Not with music,
But with people.

A subtle gesture.
A raised eyebrow.
A quiet word.
An attendant appeared.

A book was delivered.
A glass of wine replenished.
A question answered.
The evening flowed,
Almost unnoticed,
Exactly as intended.

No member could say
How long Marcell Carreau
Had managed Nocturna.

Long enough,
It seemed,
To become part of it.

Patrons delighted
In his company.
His wit was effortless.
His manners impeccable.

His conversation
As carefully measured
As a fine vintage.

He dressed
With unmistakable precision.

A tailored black
Three-piece suit.
A black silk shirt.
A black bow tie.

Upon one hand,
A heavy gold signet ring,
Its ruby catching
The lamplight
As he greeted another guest.

His neatly groomed
Handlebar moustache,
Dark pomaded hair,
And the tiny crescent moon
Tattooed beneath
His left eye,
Made him unmistakable,
Even among
Nocturna’s colourful members.

Around him,
The club breathed.
Books changed hands.
Artefacts found
New custodians.

Soft laughter drifted
From behind velvet curtains.

Ideas,
Dreams,
And impossible stories
Moved quietly
Through the room.

Carreau glided effortlessly
Between the booths,
Greeting old friends,
Welcoming unfamiliar faces,
Directing his attendants

Like a seasoned maestro.

He knew precisely
When to interrupt,
And more importantly,
When not to.

Exceptional attendants,
Such as Gideon Rook,
Required little guidance.
A glance
Was enough.

Satisfied that every guest
Had what they required,
Marcell returned
To his customary place
Near the rear of the room,
Where he paused,
and straightened the cuffs
Of his jacket.

He drew thoughtfully
Upon his cigarillo,
And with a quiet smile,
Watched another evening
At Nocturna
Unfold exactly
As it should.